Yaale – Tools for language work

In July 2018, Annalee Pope and Carolyn Barker from First Languages Australia, together with Steven Bird from Charles Darwin University, visited the Mobile Language Team in Adelaide to look at the various tools they are using in their work with language groups across South Australia. The Mobile Language Team have many innovative activities underway, primarily focused on creating environments where community members can talk with each other in language. Of particular interest, were their processes of collaboratively creating learning materials to support weekly community classes held at great distances from each other.

Read more: Yaale – Tools for language work

Language programs map

To help the media, and others, make direct contact with language workers, First Languages Australia is publishing a map of language programs.

We are asking all language centres and programs to check their contact details are correct on the web map at this link, and also the DRAFT PDF.

We would also like to hear of any additional programs that would like to be added.

Priority Languages Support Program

Service Agreements have been signed with eight communities for this year’s Priority Languages Support Project which sees support given to communities to undertake crucial documentation of current speakers where no or little previous documentation has happened through a project administered by First Languages Australia, with funding provided by theIndigenous Languages and the Arts.

Read more: Priority Languages Support Program

First Languages Australia and the Sydney Policy Lab

The Sydney Policy Lab is a new strategic project of the University of Sydney which looks to address complex local and global policy challenges. The lab aims to bring researchers, community and industry together to spark new ideas, reframe issues and transform the policy options on the table, working toward a society that works for everyone.

First Languages Australia was delighted to receive one of seven inaugural Sydney Policy Lab Fellowships.

The fellowship has focused on making knowledge relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages policy more accessible across our network. An outcome of the project is Jarrak: Our languages journey a public knowledge bank which captures key milestones in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages advocacy from the 1970s until now. 

Working with Indigenous Community Television (ICTV)

Over the past two years, you may have seen hundreds of our Language Legends films broadcast on ICTV. Maybe you have even see yourself. First Languages Australia would like to congratulate all the Language Legends who have participated in the project and extend our thanks to the team at ICTV for their ongoing work to ensure our voices are broadcast loud and clear.

Tune in to ICTV or check out ICTV play for lots of excellent language programming. 

Exciting language centre leadership opportunities

Wanga Maya Pilbara Language Centre, the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages and Ngukurr Language Centre are each on the lookout for new staff to support the language activities happening in their regions. Go to their websites to find out more, or check the news section of our website, or our Facebook page.

Gambay: Interactive language map featured at Google media presentations

First Languages Australia Language Centres meeting, February 2018

First Languages Australia was pleased to host a national meeting to coincide with people travelling to Queensland for the National Indigenous Languages Convention in February.

The meeting was an opportunity to feedback activities underway since the Cairns meeting November, with the report from that meeting distributed and discussed. From this meeting, there was discussion of a renewed call to Canberra for national legislation to support language into the future within the structure of government. There was also a call from language centres for FLA to produce a series of contracts and protocol documents that can be accessed by all project teams and adapted to the specifics of local projects. FLA is in discussions with Arts Law to see this project underway.

Read more: First Languages Australia Language Centres meeting, February 2018

Because of her, we can!

Language legend collection: Because of her, we can!

The theme for NAIDOC 2018 is "Because of her, we can!"In tribute to all of the inspiring woman who have lead us on our language journeys, FirstLanguages Australia has collated video clips of a selection of female Language Legends from across the country.

View the collection here: Because of her, we can!

Global Lessons: Indigenous languages and multilingualism in school programs

As a companion to Nintiringanyi: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teaching and Employment Strategy, we have collated case studies that demonstrate the requirements for successful collaborations between language communities and their local schools into a document titled, Global Lessons: Indigenous languages and multilingualism in school programs. Global Lessons is available as a PDF or online. The online version of the document includes video links that demonstrate the activities in action.

Binbi Wadyabay: Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Language

Congratulations to the Queensland Indigenous Languages Advisory Committee and Department for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships in their collaboration toward the formal government recognition of Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages. Discussions to this end were launched in May at Binbi Wadyabay. First Languages Australia was pleased to be a part of the event contributing through the coordinating of local media, and the collection of Language Legends videos. The Queensland meeting was also supported by funding from Indigenous Languages and the Arts.

Read more: Binbi Wadyabay: Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Language

Request for school resources in many languages

Paraburdoo Primary School teaches Kindergarten to Year 6 students in the Ashburton ShireParaburdoo Primary School teaches Kindergarten to Year 6 students in the Ashburton Shire of the Pilbara. Paraburdoo Primary is working with the Wangka Maya Pilbara LanguageCentre to establish a cultural hub in the school and is wanting to display language material from languages across the country as the students to come to Paraburdoo have diverse cultural connections. The school is requesting donations of language resources. If you are able to contribute please contact Julie Walker, 08 9172 2344, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Yugambeh voices at the Commonwealth Games

From the welcome to all to by Yugambeh Elders, to song sessions and stories in theFrom the welcome to all to by Yugambeh Elders, to song sessions and stories in the cultural exhibition spaces, the language of the Gold Coast was shared with the huge international audience for the Commonwealth Games. Patricia O'Connor and Ted Williams gave the welcome which was viewed by an international audience of millions while theYugambeh Youth Choir performed with confidence on the official stage for the closing ceremony.

The Recording Studio

The Recording Studio is a new TV series that enables everyday Australians to record the most important song of their life. First Languages Australia has been in discussion with the producers to see performers singing in first languages included in the documentary. Follow this link to find out more, and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like us to put your name forward.

Place names stories filming in new ABC project

Continuing the collaboration between First Languages Australia and the ABC to give extensive coverage to our languages, our newest project will produce videos that tell the story behind Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander place names.

Read more: Place names stories filming in new ABC project

National Indigenous Languages Convention

In February 2018, the Department of Communication and the Arts hosted the National Indigenous Languages Convention, bringing together language workers, industry partners, researchers, educators and government to explore how digital technologies can be used to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

Read more: National Indigenous Languages Convention